NC - Vann Yates, 57, High Point, 21 Jan 2015

This is in the town that I currently reside in. First that I've heard of it.

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. -- The Guilford County Sheriff's Office released more information regarding the murder of a High Point man who was shot working in his backyard.

Thursday, deputies said the shooting was related to two robberies in High Point on January 20 on Prospect Street and Springfield Road. Witnesses told authorities the suspects were two young men who were armed with handguns.

Deputies said the men were seen getting into a small, tan colored Honda passenger car, driven by what authorities say appear to be a black female. Vann Yates, 57, was killed at his home on East Fairfield Road in High Point on January 21. He was in his backyard with a friend, when deputies said two men stopped and asked to buy some lawn equipment. Colonel Randy Powers said the suspects tried to rob him and made other demands before shooting and killing Yates.

Mr. Cuffem likes to leave the garage door open during the summer and I am always telling him the possibilities of someone driving around looking for the opportunity to rob.Not even safe in your own yard.

Yates and a friend were sitting on the porch of Yates' house at 1603 E. Fairfield Road on Jan. 21, 2015, when two men walked up to Yates and asked if he sold used lawn mowers, according to the sheriff's office.

The men then pulled out handguns and demanded money, the sheriff's office said. One of them shot Yates once in the chest. Yates died later at the hospital.

The sheriff's office has suspects in Yates' homicide, but needs additional information to solidify the case, the agency said.